Mad Max Pontificates

Okay, so I just wanted to prove I knew big words. But really, Mad Max's blog is a must read, as he talks specifically about the joys of being an editor and clicking with an author whose book he had purchased. I found it fascinating. The relationship between author and editor can be sketchy, sometimes ugly, and often uncomfortable. But when it clicks, it really clicks.

...and suddenly it occurs to us--her first, then me--that even though I'd given this book two pretty close readings, and knew it to be a thing of genius, there was one thing I didn't know: what the book meant. Turns out that I'd totally misread something really important--which meant two things at once. First, yes, that I'm a dumb-ass; but second, that maybe she hadn't built her scaffolding quite so cleanly as she needed to to avoid dumb-asses like me from maybe missing something really important.

How can this be, you ask? Well, to really know, go read the blog. MM is really quite a lovely writer, in his own right.

Controversy Sells, Controversy Complicates

I write about issues that are controversial. Thus, I get a lot of hatemail, most in the form of comments to my personal blog. Recently, I had to shut down the comments section of my blog, due to a particularly unpleasant person who has been harassing me. He was using the anonymous function allowed by blogger to post nasty personal comments about me. I tried the registration route, but he just made up some name and continued to assault. So I shut it down. My agent assures me this is common. I'm small potatoes, in the writing world, but even a tiny amount of celebrity, especially in controversial circles, makes you a target.

But celebrity, however small, can be a pain in the ass. I'm annoyed that I had to shut down comments to my blog. Yes, this harasser is nothing but a small man with a smaller...um, I'll stop there. He's trying to scare me. I know he's trying to scare me. It's not working. But I REALLY would like people who honestly disagree with me to have the right to comment. I may not feel the same way they do, but it is their right to feel that way. Plus it makes for GREAT blogging material.

Most big name authors don't have contact information on their site. You have to go through their Web designer, or fill out a form that doesn't tell you how to reach them. I understand why.

I've heard people say that they don't really think blogs need comments anyway, because, "it's my blog!" I rather enjoyed hearing from the masses, even when the masses were telling me I was an idiot. I've learned not to engage, and to let it roll off my back, like water off the feathers of a duck. In fact, I learned to turn it around and make it funny. I guess you can call it a life lesson.

Along with the people that don't like what you are writing, comes the email from unpublished writers. I do not like turning them down. I remember being an unpublished writer. For that reason, I've tried to include a lot of information on my site about how to get an agent, and even a complete agent listing. Still, I get emails asking me to read manuscripts, and those that say, "I need an agent. Help!!" The best answer I can give: I've given you a listing, now it's YOUR job to find the right agent. I screen my agent listing. You won't find scammers on there. As for manuscripts, for legal reasons I cannot read them. Sorry to disappoint.

So, where does this leave me? A little-known author, with a well-reviewed book who sold to a New York press. I've sold okay, gotten great reviews (save a very biased one from a local Utah paper), and have a LOT of readers than have written me asking me to write more books.

Is it worth the headache? I wouldn't change a thing.

*****

Speaking of controversy, Martha Nibley Beck, well known as an O Magazine columnist, and a life coach, recently published a book that has the Mormons even MORE irked with her than they were with me. Her book, Leaving the Saints: How I Lost the Mormons and Found my Faith, addresses the fact she believes her father, revered Mormon apologist Hugh Nibley, sexually molested her. Her family ardently disagrees. But her elderly father recently passed away, without ever addressing these issues, making those surrounding Martha even angrier. I'm halfway through her book, and must admit I believe her. And her writing triggers me. Now I understand EVEN why I get both angry and passionate emails from writers. My writing triggers them. When you address something deep, controversial, closed, religious, and life-altering, you have to expect to get one of two responses: they love it, or they hate it.

Both are compliments. And as a writer, one had to learn to accept that. They may not love you, but you TRIGGERED them. You made them think. Even if they think you are full of shit....

Curing Illiteracy, One Large Step at a Time…

As an author, promotion--like paying taxes--is a necessary, but undesirable part of the job.

Too little promotion and your book bombs. Too much, and you become a promotion whore, and other authors mention your name with snide disgust, rolling eyes and "tut tuts."

So where's the balance? I'm not sure there is one, but one SURE way to do the promotion game the right way is to endorse a cause you really care about. And that other authors will really care about. And what cause could be dearer to a writer's heart than that of literacy?

A friend of mine, one of the nicest, most self-effacing and promotion-shy people I know--even though she does it 'cuz she has to--has done just that.

Deborah LeBlanc, author of Family Inheritance and the upcoming Grave Intent, is on a crusade for literacy. I cannot think of a better cause to support. But I'll let her tell you herself.

My name is Deborah LeBlanc, and I'm an author on a crusade for literacy. I'm also from Lafayette, La. I realize your time is valuable, but if you will allow me a few minutes to explain my goal to further literacy, you may find it to be of interest. I must digress for a moment, however, to explain how this crusade began...

Last year, while on a national book tour, I had the opportunity to visit numerous bookstores and chat with some of their customers. Unfortunately, it didn't take long for me to realize that many patrons visited the bookstores because of the adjoining coffee shop. Yes, a few individuals would browse through the bookshelves, maybe flip through a magazine or two, but many of them left empty handed. Whenever I asked one of these coffee-only browsers, “Who’s your favorite author?” or “What do you enjoy reading?”, the most common response was “Oh, I don’t read much anymore.” Even worse, if the individual was under the age of twenty-five, the response was usually, “I don’t like to read.”

To say I was disheartened by this seemingly endless tide of ‘non-readers’ would be a gross understatement. So I decided to do something about it.

My newest novel, GRAVE INTENT, will be released on July 5, 2005. Five months prior to its release, I will be launching a literacy challenge, which is geared toward encouraging more people to read.

The LeBlanc Challenge will focus on reading, reading comprehension, and writing skills. The winner of this challenge will receive $5000 in cash, PLUS an additional $1000, which will go to the public school of their choice for the purchase of text and/or library books. To further the literacy cause, I'm adding a 'kicker' to the challenge. Should the winner choose to keep his or her winnings in a college fund, (either for themselves or a child) I will personally work with the chosen university regarding a matching funds program. As I'm sure you are aware, a matching funds program can turn that initial $5000 into $10,000. Not a bad start for a college education.

In order to spread the word about The Challenge, I am currently scheduling interactive writing workshops and speaking engagements in high schools and community colleges throughout the country. I charge nothing for these workshops or speaking engagements, and the students do not have to purchase my books for the workshops. My goal is to simply get the students excited about the possibilities awaiting them if they’re willing to read.

If this is of interest to you, I can be reached at the email address deborah@deborahleblanc.com. For your convenience and review, I've included a link to my website, where you'll find more information about my books and The LeBlanc Challenge.
http://www.deborahleblanc.com/

Thank you for your time and consideration, and I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Sincerely,

Deborah LeBlanc